Mar 3, 2013 5:43 PM

I found the attached item on the South Coast, near Portsmouth and was wondering what it may be? It weighs only 48grms, and feels about the density of plastic and is definitely not a stone. It has an oily smell and appears to be of animal origin. I would greatful for any suggestions.

Just tried burning some. It is quite hard but I managed to chip a small lump off using a knife and a lot of force. It burnt readily with a yellow flame and thick, black, sooty smoke. There was no sign of it melting but the smoke was acrid and most unpleasant.

Lack of melting points away from paraffin/other wax and away from thermoplastic but somewhat towards thermosetting plastics (eg. resins), but the style of fracture is not entirely consistent with that. I'm leaning towards a hydrocarbon-related solid like napthalene (which could arise on a beach from spilled cargo), or hexamine (as used in firelighter blocks, but they are low-smoke). Further than that, I'm out of suggestions, sorry.

Somebody else may be able to recognize it as of animal origin, perhaps, as you hint.

Notes:

- Lumps of wax can end-up on beaches as a result of oil-spill clean-up operations.

- It is not a nylon or other similar white solid plastic because they do not have a strong odour.

- I should have given you warning about heating/burning your sample regarding flammability and gases; my apologies.